Professional drivers and trucking companies give so much to the nation. Without them, the Wreaths Across America mission to remember, honor, and teach would be nearly impossible. Veterans’ wreaths move by planes, trains, ships, and livestock trailers, but trucks and their professional drivers transport the lion’s share of America's respect. In 2023, to be specific, 717 truckloads of wreaths were delivered, representing 332 different carriers and partners.
In November and December, one of the busiest periods of the year for the transportation sector, the Wreaths Across America mission brings drivers together in an effort of unparalleled unity. With a positive, “can-do” work ethic, these professionals make it possible for Americans to honor millions of veterans laid to rest at home and overseas. In 2024, with over 4,200 participating locations, in addition to Arlington National Cemetery, transportation logistics are immense.
Many of these drivers are military veterans and say the truckload of fresh balsam-fir wreaths is the most precious cargo they transport in their careers. Wreaths Across America shares their stories in the “Trucking Tributes” feature online and on Wreaths Across America Radio and Sirius XM, Channel 146, Road Dog Trucking.
Kenneth Fooshee is as patriotic as they come, and he’s been a staunch supporter of the Wreaths Across America mission. This year represents his tenth year of involvement. He currently drives for KDF Trucking and Trailer Bridge. Trailer Bridge is an Intermodal company in Jacksonville, Florida and Kenneth has been with them for four years. “I’m very satisfied with them. but before I came to them, I made arrangements to carry on with the mission of supporting Wreaths Across America and that was part of my willingness to change carriers,” Kenneth explained. “I wasn’t going anywhere where I couldn’t support Wreaths Across America.”
For the first six years, he had a seven-stop run down the west coast of Florida, then switched carriers. “When I changed jobs, I switched to Jacksonville National, which I like, but I miss the personal interactions with the different customers along the way. Switching to Jacksonville National, though, took me off the “milk run,” and I could stay and participate in the wreath-laying ceremony. One year, I did Pensacola, and that was a fabulous place to go, but it’s a route thing.”
Kenneth is absolutely right! It is a route thing as the Wreaths Across America mission grows every year throughout the country. The transportation team works tirelessly to match companies and drivers to desired participating locations to the best of their ability, working against super-tight deadlines and fresh balsam-fir veterans’ wreaths. “It’s amazing how you all have grown and how well you treat us. When I first started, we were told to go load up outside in an open field, and now you’ve got loading bays and driver facilities. The coordination has come a long way.
The first few years we were involved, my wife and I didn’t know about joining the annual wreath escort to Arlington, and we didn’t want to ask, you know? We knew the logistics of the escort, and we didn’t want to get in the way of that tradition, but it’s great to be involved with that now. I think one year it was snowing, and my wife said, ‘They’re not going to do the escort, but I said, ‘Honey this is Maine, and sure enough, the snow was gone the next day and here come the motorcycles.” For the record we should note, there have been years where snow or freezing rain kept the motorcyclists stranded in a hotel hot tub until the weather cleared enough for them to catch up to the escort farther south.
Kenneth is a fine example of our Honor Fleet drivers, and is one of the reasons we refer to them as our rolling ambassadors. “People really need to consider this and participate. It’s one of those things that if you do it, you’ll never stop doing it. I’m going to do this as long as I can drive, and if I can’t drive, I’ll find some other way to help out. It’s just a fantastic mission to support.”
Thank you, Kenneth with KDF Trucking and Trailer Bridge, for helping support the mission to remember, honor, and teach.
If you’d like to join the Wreaths Across America Honor Fleet, you can get started with a click right here!
You can hear more with Kenneth on Trucking Tributes, which can be listened to every Truckin’ Tuesday at 11:00 AM and again at 4:00 PM EST on Wreaths Across America Radio and Wednesday at 8:30 AM EST on Sirius XM Channel 146, Road Dog Trucking Radio.
Sponsor a wreath at the RadioNemo Wreaths Across America Page.
Discover the Trucking Tributes archive playlist on Soundcloud.com